Mellanox Connectx-2 VPI Dual Port Adapter - $49.99 OBO

Notice: Page may contain affiliate links for which we may earn a small commission through services like Amazon Affiliates or Skimlinks.

PnoT

Active Member
Mar 1, 2015
650
162
43
Texas
I was trying to cross reference the cards with MHQH29B-XTR but nothing shows up. These cards are PCI x4 while the MHQH29B-XTR are x8 so I'm not sure they're exactly the same. Having another 2 in my Intel 2 node would be nice but I'm worried about getting one now. Can anyone confirm they do RDMA?
 

Marsh

Moderator
May 12, 2013
2,642
1,496
113
Not exactly , but the PCB looks exactly the same.
See my post #10 to cross flash firmware to MHQH29B board.
See my post #15 , after cross flash, Windows 2012R2 OS it is RDMA capable.
Works like my othter MHQH29B and MHQH29C boards.

Let me make some coffee, I'll post my how to cross flash
 

Marsh

Moderator
May 12, 2013
2,642
1,496
113
These cards are PCI x4 while the MHQH29B-XTR are x8
This is print out from stock card
Driver Version : 4.90.10714.0
Firmware Version : 2.9.1050
Port Number : 1
Bus Type : PCI-E 5.0 Gbps x8
Link Speed : ----
Part Number : HCA-30024
Device Id : 26428
Revision Id : B0
 

Marsh

Moderator
May 12, 2013
2,642
1,496
113
Using Windows 2012R2 as my host to flash the HCA-30024 card.
Install the HCA-30024 card, without any additional software, Windows 2012R2 should recognized the card.

Download firmware link Firmware for ConnectX®-2 IB/VPI - Mellanox Technologies
Step 1: Install WinMFT_x64_3_5_0_16.exe
Step 2: run this batch file to change PSID to MT_0D81120009 , same PSID as MHQH29B
mst status
echo Look for mt26428_pci_cr0
pause
call flint -allow_psid_change -d mt26428_pci_cr0 -i fw-ConnectX2-rel-2_9_1000-MHQH29B_A3-A5.bin burn
ibstat
echo Firmware version status
pause
Step 3: Reboot ( not sure it is necessary )
Step 4: MLNX_VPI_WinOF-4_80_All_win2012R2_x64 ( This is the version I used , there is a newer 4_90 version now ),
During Installation , Installer should upgrade card with the latest firmware, if it recognized the card.

The latest version of firmware that I used is FW Version: 2.10.720 , Windows 2012R2 claim it is RDMA capable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NME and Chuckleb

PnoT

Active Member
Mar 1, 2015
650
162
43
Texas
Thanks Marsh for posting up some specifics and the flash process. The device ID and revision are the same as my other MHQH29B-XTR cards and at $25ea that's pretty cheap so I'm going to bite and get a couple.
 

PnoT

Active Member
Mar 1, 2015
650
162
43
Texas
In for 2 we'll see how they work out when I get them. thanks again guys for posting up the deal.
 

tubeamps

Active Member
Dec 1, 2014
102
25
28
I bought 2 last week from this seller for $35/ea. I received them, but haven't had a chance to open the box. I don't have time to fully test them, but I could provide numbers from the card or install one if that would help.
 

TeeJayHoward

Active Member
Feb 12, 2013
376
112
43
Put in an offer for 10 @ $20 per. Crossing my fingers! (Then of course I need to find low profile brackets...)
 

T_Minus

Build. Break. Fix. Repeat
Feb 15, 2015
7,625
2,043
113
He will accept. Guaranteed. Not that I paid that low, wish I did :) I've just dealt with them many times, and at that volume I'm rather confident he'll accept :)
 

Marsh

Moderator
May 12, 2013
2,642
1,496
113
The whole point of cross flash this cheap card to MHQH29B is for Firmware version: 2.10.720.
If you are happy with version 2.9.1000, there is no need to flash it.

Version 2.10.720 allow us to use Windows RDMA. Mellanox do not put firmware version 2.10.720 as download.
You will need to install MLNX_VPI_WinOF-4_80_All_win2012R2_x64 to get version 2.10.720.

DBA written a tutorial on how to flash a third party card, have a read as well.
https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...0-and-windows-server-2012-no-rdma.1594/page-2
 

TeeJayHoward

Active Member
Feb 12, 2013
376
112
43
He will accept. Guaranteed. Not that I paid that low, wish I did :) I've just dealt with them many times, and at that volume I'm rather confident he'll accept :)
Sure 'nuf. 10@$20. Now I've just got to remember my paypal info. Anyone know where I'd look to find low profile brackets for these?
 

T_Minus

Build. Break. Fix. Repeat
Feb 15, 2015
7,625
2,043
113
They didn't accept my request to buy MORE at $20... L O L!! Which is less than I paid last time.

Still waiting on them :)
 

TeeJayHoward

Active Member
Feb 12, 2013
376
112
43
Would those work for 40GbE, and what fiber/cable would you need to connect them?
I asked the eBay seller what the optical connector used was.

Still no clue if the QSFP+ form factor would work with a QSFP card. Trying to read through the spec sheet for QSFP+ now to see if interoperability is mentioned anywhere.
 

TeeJayHoward

Active Member
Feb 12, 2013
376
112
43
Damnit. Doesn't look like QSFP+ connectors will work in a QSFP card:

SFF-8436 said:
7 Management Interface
7.1 Introduction

A management interface, as already commonly used in other form factors like GBIC, SFP, and XFP, is specified in order to enable flexible use of the module by the user. The specification has been changed in order to adopt the use of a multi-channel module. Some timing requirements are critical especially for a multi-channel device, so the interface speed has been increased. This QSFP+ specification is based on the INF8438 specification however it is not backward compatible. Address 128 Page00 is used to indicate the use of the QSFP+ memory map rather than the QSFP memory map.
link